Dairy farms face labor struggle; foreign works pose unique challenges

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Posted on December 21, 2017 |

CONSUL GENERAL EMILIO Rabasa of the Mexican consulate in Boston, left, talks with Middlebury dairy farmer Mark Foster about his farm earlier this month. Foster took Rabasa on a tour of Foster Brothers Farm, including a sneak preview of the nearly completed barn that will house robotic milkers. Independent photo/Gaen Murphree

MIDDLEBURY — The Dec. 2 visit to Middlebury from the Mexican consulate in Boston gave Mexicans laboring on Addison County farms an opportunity to get important documents, get informed about legal rights, exchange ideas and experiences, and access various kinds of support.

It also brought area farmers together with Consul General Emilio Rabasa to hear the farmer side of the equation.

Chief among dairy farmer concerns? The continued lack of federal immigration policy that supports the labor needs of dairy farms.

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